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Thandeka Moyo, Health Reporter
HWANGE Colliery Company Hospital has held its first nurses graduation ceremony in six years following an economic slump that affected operations.

A total of 97 nurses graduated last Friday at the hospital.

The graduates were made up of seven groups who started their training in 2013 and only managed to complete their studies early this year.

Speaking at the ceremony, the acting Hwange Colliery Company board chairperson, Ms Juliana Muskwe, said the institution was happy that things were beginning to shape up hence the revival of graduation ceremonies.

“In line with devolution stance taken by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, I would like to urge the school to give first preference to locals in the recruitment of student nurses. This will ensure that they uplift the general standards of nursing and health matters in the district and province as a whole,” said Ms Muskwe.

She applauded the nurses for their perseverance while the company was facing severe challenges.

“The graduation comes at a time when the country has lost more than 40 lives to cholera and it is my reverent hope that these nurses will play an integral part to ensure the nation quickly eradicates the disease,” Ms Muskwe said.

Mrs Linda Moyo, the principal tutor, said the school aborted bi-annual intakes in 2014 when things worsened at the company.

She said the school has maintained an over 80 percent pass rate over the last five intakes.

“Due to challenges experienced there were no bi-annual intakes from September 2013 to April 2015. Intakes resumed in May 2015 but we had to stop in 2016 as our challenges persisted,” said Mrs Moyo.

“We have 97 students graduating today who trained from March 2013 and September 2018.

She said the nursing curriculum has now been adjusted to cover prevention, control and self management of non-communicable diseases and gender-based violence.

“We continue to embark on curricular enrichment by addressing topical areas timeously. Such curricular versatility and practicality is important and plausible for the health needs of our populations served by our nurses,” Mrs Moyo added.

Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Cde Richard Moyo attended the graduation ceremony and urged the colliery company to create jobs for locals and foster development programmes for the province.

“I assure you that I will engage my fellow Ministers of Health and Finance so that we discuss what to do with the recruitment freeze. I believe that under the new dispensation, our children who just graduated should be able to get employment because indeed we are open for business,” said Minister Moyo.

He said all institutions should work towards benefitting their local communities which is in line with the devolution policy. — @thamamoe.